49-year-old Bao, also president of the Ho Chi Minh City Mixed Martial Arts Federation (HMMAF) and CEO of Saigon Sports Club (SSC), left Vietnam for the US in February 2025. Since then, several members of the VBF and HMMAF have reported being unable to contact him for months.

This unusual absence has raised questions, as Bao is an influential figure in the martial arts community, having received an honorary WBA Asia belt in 2023 for his contributions to Vietnamese boxing.

Luu Tu Bao (center) receives the honorary WBA Asia belt for his contributions to Vietnamese boxing, October 2023 in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Kickfit

Luu Tu Bao (center) receives the honorary WBA Asia belt for his contributions to Vietnamese boxing, October 2023 in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Kickfit

In late June, US news outlet San Francisco Public Safety News reported that a man named "Bao Luu," matching Bao's identity, appeared in federal court in San Francisco, California, facing extradition to Australia.

"Bao Luu" is accused of leading and overseeing a transnational criminal organization that operated a drug trafficking ring from Vietnam. Between 2016 and 2017, he and his accomplices allegedly attempted to smuggle a total of 178 kg of cocaine into Australia.

If extradited and convicted in Australia, he could face a life sentence.

While this news from the US has spread rapidly, the Vietnamese boxing community remains cautious. VBF vice president and general secretary Nguyen Duy Hung said he has contacted Bao in the US several times and received remote instructions. Major tournaments, such as the National Strong Team Tournament (Dak Lak, 4/2025) and the National Youth Championship (Nam Dinh, 7/2025), have proceeded as scheduled.

However, several sports officials acknowledge the significant impact of losing contact with the boxing federation's president. The Department of Physical Education and Sports has requested the VBF to hold a meeting to appoint an interim leader and has asked the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to verify Bao's legal situation in the US.

Some domestic sources suggest Bao was involved in a civil dispute with a group of Vietnamese people in the US and recently won the case in the first instance.

The second VBF Executive Committee meeting is scheduled for October in Ho Chi Minh City. If Bao remains absent or faces extradition, the federation will need to find a replacement to maintain operations.

Bao became president of the second VBF term on 15/10/2023. Born in 1976, he has over 10 years of experience developing boxing and other martial arts in Vietnam. He is the CEO of SSC, one of the earliest professional boxing clubs established in Vietnam.

Hoang An (San Francisco Public Safety News)